# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1230 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1231 --- ## [Hooking up a Smart TV. Is it the same as a Computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooking-up-a-smart-tv-is-it-the-same-as-a-computer/957560)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooking-up-a-smart-tv-is-it-the-same-as-a-computer/957560 "2022-01-12T15:12:11Z")
I have DirecTV in my living room. The box is connected to the Dish by coax. The box also connects to my wireless network for software updates. It would be very difficult to snake coax into my bedroom. There’s a vaulted … --- ## [Shows With The Most Effective Influence For Popularity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-the-most-effective-influence-for-popularity/957462)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-the-most-effective-influence-for-popularity/957462 "2022-01-12T15:06:32Z")
Back in the day, with music, if you made it on The Ed Sullivan Show, you had a great chance to really make it big, much like “The Tonight Show” helped comedians, especially if he invited them on the couch. What’s the m… --- ## [Smart thermostat recommendations, (\*other\* than Nest) anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-thermostat-recommendations-other-than-nest-anyone/957535)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-thermostat-recommendations-other-than-nest-anyone/957535 "2022-01-12T14:38:25Z")
Ok, savvy folk, I need thermostat help. We’ve had the Nest for years, and I used to love it until Google got their grubby hands all over it. I’m now on my 3rd (4th?) unit that randomly decides to not blow cool air anymor… --- ## [Recommend a good headset to me please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-headset-to-me-please/941849)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-headset-to-me-please/941849 "2022-01-12T14:25:42Z")
I’ve been wearing a headset a lot more at work since almost all of our communications are done through Teams or Zoom meetings. I have an inexpensive Logitech set that works fine but I’d really like something more comfor… --- ## [Which is the best smaller SUV, Tiguan or X1 F48?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-the-best-smaller-suv-tiguan-or-x1-f48/957481)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-the-best-smaller-suv-tiguan-or-x1-f48/957481 "2022-01-12T13:35:34Z")
If I could choose any car to get, I’d probably get a previous gen 4 series Gran coupe, which is a liftback (basically sedan, but with a fully opening trunk, not to be confused with short boxy hatchbacks) and which offers… --- ## [Does anybody play Forge of Empires?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-play-forge-of-empires/957407)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-play-forge-of-empires/957407 "2022-01-12T10:48:08Z")
I’m an idiot. I waste far too much time on this stoopid game. Anybody else? I was very bored one day, and the site I used to play Risk and Monopoly on shut down. I was also trying to ween myself from this place somewhat… --- ## [Recommend a good ecommerce platform for a small business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-ecommerce-platform-for-a-small-business/917403)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-ecommerce-platform-for-a-small-business/917403 "2020-08-11T23:21:40Z")
I’m a front-end web dev / designer who occasionally does freelance work. Someone I built a website for has an associate who wants an ecommerce site, and he’s asking me if I want to take on the project. I’m strictly a fro… --- ## [My Smoking Habits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-smoking-habits/957547)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-smoking-habits/957547 "2022-01-12T07:54:27Z")
I only smoke once a year. It is my Christmas tradition. Usually a good quality cigar. Now my family physician before he retired said he had no problem with this. So I just have to ask: statistically speaking, am I faci… --- ## [And in other news, fish can drive cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-in-other-news-fish-can-drive-cars/957577)
**Author:** [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-in-other-news-fish-can-drive-cars/957577 "2022-01-12T03:51:48Z")
Israeli researchers have apparently taught goldfish to drive cars. Those robots with fishtank heads are getting closer and closer! --- ## [If I could \_\_\_\_\_\_, I'd \_\_\_\_\_\_](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-id/957599)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-id/957599 "2022-01-12T02:56:19Z")
If you could do a thing, what would you do? If I could draw, I’d draw a picture of Santa Claus as a Ramone. --- ## [Omnibus College Football Thread 2021-22](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-college-football-thread-2021-22/949688)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 402\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-college-football-thread-2021-22/949688 "2022-01-12T02:16:07Z")
Im watching the UCLA v Hawaii game and UCLA defense made a stop on Hawaiis first drive. Hawaii punts and it was a magnificent 55 yard kick. But,but…the snap was low and the punters knee touched the ground. This being co… --- ## [What is this “rocket” thingie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-rocket-thingie/956612)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-rocket-thingie/956612 "2022-01-12T01:57:30Z")
Maybe my Google-fu is shoddy but I couldn’t find out anything about it. It seems as though someone spent some coin for a pretty weak turnout. Does anyone know what this is and what’s it’s purpose is? And does the spinnin… --- ## [Chinese translation help, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-help-please/957221)
**Author:** [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-help-please/957221 "2022-01-12T00:36:32Z")
Don’t know what flavor of Chinese. Or even if it is Chinese. Going by the pictograph, I’m guessing it says something like “Don’t touch my Gundam/Transformer action figures or I will hit you with a baseball bat.” But wh… --- ## [How Can The US Heal Its Deep Divisions? How Did It Do So Previously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-us-heal-its-deep-divisions-how-did-it-do-so-previously/956832)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-us-heal-its-deep-divisions-how-did-it-do-so-previously/956832 "2022-01-11T23:51:32Z")
There has been handwringing over the deep divisions in American society and concern for the future. What steps could the US take to heal its divisions and polarization? How did it recover from past instances when the c… --- ## [To what degree does having Omicron protect against other variants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-degree-does-having-omicron-protect-against-other-variants/957571)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-degree-does-having-omicron-protect-against-other-variants/957571 "2022-01-11T23:45:56Z")
Yes, my whole family has had it for a week, and our booster shots have been postponed - our second vax is now 5 months old. To what degree are we at risk from more serious strains like Delta (which is still around 1/3 o… --- ## [Mitch McConnell in the Pit!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-in-the-pit/837681)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-in-the-pit/837681 "2022-01-11T23:11:55Z")
How does such a hypocrite get and remain in office? First, he blocks Obama’s nomination for the USSC saying ‘let the voters pick the next President first’ . Then he says that if a USSC opening comes up shortly before th… --- ## [What do credit card companies report to the IRS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-credit-card-companies-report-to-the-irs/957002)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-credit-card-companies-report-to-the-irs/957002 "2022-01-11T22:52:00Z")
Say someone owes 15K to their credit card. Every day they send a $900 money order in as payment. Every day they do this for weeks until the debt is paid off. Does this kind of odd thing raise red flags? If so, what ha… --- ## [Star Trek Discovery - How are species named?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-discovery-how-are-species-named/957474)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-discovery-how-are-species-named/957474 "2022-01-11T22:38:36Z")
I’m watching the current season and the following question has come up: how are unknown species named? There is a new species causing the phenomenon known as the DMA. The Federation refers to this species as 10-C. Does a… --- ## [Magawa the mine detecting rat has died aged 8](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magawa-the-mine-detecting-rat-has-died-aged-8/957611)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magawa-the-mine-detecting-rat-has-died-aged-8/957611 "2022-01-11T22:22:43Z")
What a hero ! Don’t suppose anyone had him in the celebrity death pool. --- ## [Video Games with Almost 1:1 Recreations of Real Cities in Free Roam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-games-with-almost-1-1-recreations-of-real-cities-in-free-roam/957479)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-games-with-almost-1-1-recreations-of-real-cities-in-free-roam/957479 "2022-01-11T22:02:46Z")
I’m curious which video games you can play that have almost entirely accurate renditions of real life cities you can play. I know True Crime: Streets of Los Angeles was one of the first video games ever that attempted to… --- ## [Dental Cement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-cement/957526)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-cement/957526 "2022-01-11T21:14:11Z")
That stuff has to be extremely strong, to withstand the constant pressure on it. What is it, and why isn’t it sold commercially for other purposes? Or is it? \[My father had a problem with a crown constantly falling off,… --- ## [Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s third campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisconsin-sen-ron-johnson-s-third-campaign/957483)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisconsin-sen-ron-johnson-s-third-campaign/957483 "2022-01-11T21:13:21Z")
Will Wisconsin voters reward or punish him for breaking his promise? --- ## [Another gift from Covid: tinnitus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-gift-from-covid-tinnitus/957092)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-gift-from-covid-tinnitus/957092 "2022-01-11T21:08:46Z")
After my bout of Covid a few weeks ago I’ve had some lingering symptoms. A cough that shows up especially in the morning, some occasional stuffiness, nothing major. I noticed my neighbor(town house) started to play their… --- ## [Dwayne Hickman - Dead at 87](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dwayne-hickman-dead-at-87/957498)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dwayne-hickman-dead-at-87/957498 "2022-01-11T20:49:57Z")
Complications from Parkinson’s. I’m old enough to remember Dobie. --- ## [Fauci and Rand Paul](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fauci-and-rand-paul/957600)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fauci-and-rand-paul/957600 "2022-01-11T20:40:16Z")
Rand Paul is such a tool. He brought up that more Americans have died under Biden than under Trump. Why doesn’t Fauci just say, “Gee, Senator Paul, we’ve had vaccines for over a year now. If not for you and your party… --- ## [The FBI and "John Doe 27"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbi-and-john-doe-27/705471)
**Author:** [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbi-and-john-doe-27/705471 "2022-01-11T20:32:00Z")
Just a little over a year ago a story that the FBI was looking for a man they called “John Doe 27” circulated in the national press. I read about it first in Slate. A day or two later, the FBI released a statement that … --- ## [What's your favorite stovetop burner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327 "2022-01-11T20:17:50Z")
This is your chance to tell the Dope what burner you like best. Sure, we say that we all love our burners equally, but inside we all know who our favorite is. My go-to burner is the one at the front right of the stove. … --- ## [What was the draft of Mississippi riverboats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-draft-of-mississippi-riverboats/957435)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-draft-of-mississippi-riverboats/957435 "2022-01-11T20:17:25Z")
‘Mark twain! Safe water!’ was the call that riverboat pilots liked to hear. If a depth of 12 feet was safe, what was the draft of Mississippi riverboats? --- ## [What happens to illegal material if it was illegally seized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-illegal-material-if-it-was-illegally-seized/957476)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-illegal-material-if-it-was-illegally-seized/957476 "2022-01-11T18:06:11Z")
If someone had something that just the possession of was illegal, but a court determined that the government illegally seized it, similar to a “fruit of the poisonous tree” deal. If the person can’t possess it, yet it w… --- ## [Can A US Citizen Be Denied Entry Into the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-citizen-be-denied-entry-into-the-us/957524)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-citizen-be-denied-entry-into-the-us/957524 "2022-01-11T17:38:14Z")
A friend of my mother is a Polish immigrant to the US who is now a citizen. “Greta” is flying back to Poland to visit her ailing mother, but she’s terrified that Customs will find a reason not to let her back in. I say t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1229) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1231)